Thank you for contacting me about the welfare of racing greyhounds.
I agree with you that these gentle, sensitive animals deserve our best protection. I am reassured that anyone failing to provide for the welfare of a racing greyhound in their care could face prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act, as well as enforcement action from the sport’s governing body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). I am sure you will be pleased to hear that new legislation has increased the maximum sentence for the worst animal cruelty offences from six months to five years.
The welfare of racing greyhounds at all greyhound racing tracks in England is regulated by the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010. The 2010 Regulations were reviewed in 2016, both by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the House of Commons' Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. The review found that, judged against their original objectives, the regulations have been broadly effective. The review also identified areas where the industry themselves should be taking further action and Defra has been working closely with GBGB to ensure these actions are taken. This includes the annual publication of injury, euthanasia and retirement statistics, and addressing welfare issues at GBGB affiliated trainers’ kennels.
I am glad that the British Greyhound Racing Fund (BGRF) collects a voluntary levy from bookmakers. These funds directly support greyhound welfare and the sport’s integrity, and to a lesser extent the development and promotion of the sport. The Government will continue to encourage any remaining bookmakers that have not signed up to the voluntary arrangements to follow suit. I welcome that as of 22 March 2021, four more bookmakers agreed to begin contributing to the fund.
Thank you again for writing to me.
